"We play our matches at Escalon, a short course, so coming to a long course like this means we have to change our play," said Presli Pilati, third at the VFL Tournament last fall. "We were using drivers and 3-woods to get that extra distance that we needed."

Swinging for greater distance, however, carries risks.

"If you don't hit it right, the driver can fade or slice, leaving you in trouble," she said.

The nine-hole, par-31 Escalon course is 1,520 yards and very forgiving. Spring Creek is an 18-hole, par-73 that plays at 5,656 yards — and makes golfers pay for every mistake.

Pilati shot par on six holes and leads the Cougars into next week's Sac-Joaquin Section Division V Tournament at Stevinson Ranch. They'll be joined by Bret Harte and Calaveras, and six individuals.